Orbit
by Cutter

Comment:
An amazing score for a shot with so few comments! You really had them stumped. I didn't get to vote on this challenge but stumbled on your shot in the astro gallery. Quite nice! I'd like to see a "normal" shot of this light. Kudos to you for finding this opportunity!

Flight
by jemison

Comment:
This shot has it all Bill, great job. Congrats!

Cancer
by sarrobi

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

TECHNIQUE
Focus is excellent with a very neat sharpness zone and softly out of focus in both background and foreground, gently drawing attention to your very bold subject. The droplets of water on the rocks are a very nice touch but make for a little bit of a dirty feel at the front left, not a problem though. The textures are interesting and have a wild feel, as though the creature was caught in its natural habitat (was it?). The exposure is great - just a little loss of details in the shadows but the highlights are managed perfectly. The colors of the crab pop beautifully and contrast nicely with the surrounding rocks. Technically, a great shot!

COMPOSITION
I think the composition is perfect. The centeredness of the subject works great. I wish I could see more the crab's legs, but again, it feels very natural that we can't since he seems to be going about his business, not necessarily posing for your camera. The angle his body and legs make with your composition/crop is excellent. A squared "face on" shot would not have worked nearly as well, IMO. As it is, it feels very natural for the eye to wander around the diagonals and go from creature to rock to water droplets and back again. This is a beautifully simple composition that focuses the attention where you want it to be, without distractions or unnecessary elements.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
It's a beautiful image that has a lot of pure eye attraction due to the colors, the dof, etc. as mentioned above. Since the challenge was "signs," I'm sure you left some of the voters scratching their heads for a moment or two, but your title should dispel any doubts at all. I imagine that you were one of a few photographers who ventured outside the box, but still managed to find a hook to the challenge that most voters were able to swallow. To me, this image has a lot of appeal because it is so well done technically and because it's interesting to boot. Those eyes are amazing (I think that's the right one bulging out there on the left side). Well, people got it AND liked it. You can't go wrong if you reach the voters to that extent. Your final score of 6.3 was pretty good, and indicates that people appreciated your efforts, as did I. Excellent image and one I definitely enjoyed the chance to study for this critique!

Moonlight Sonata
by kirbic

Comment:
Shots like this make me crazy. Can such talent really exist? Can you really capture a shot like this? Yes you can. I'm guessing this was moonlit, and I'm suspicious that I know the photographer too. Whatever, this is a stunner. One of my few 10s for this challenge. I'll be looking this one up right after voting ends - if it's not already on the front page, of course...

Harley fan
by GinaRothfels

Comment:
I'm blown away. I can scarcely find the words. The unbelievable tonal range, the incredible detail in the highlights and shadows, the texture that almost makes this shot feel 3D. My hat is off. My only 10 of the challenge so far.

Approaching Storm
by dsidwell

Comment:
Wow. Quite an excellent landscape. I can almost feel the hair on my neck standing up as the storm approaches. The green tones are lovely. This would make a wonderful print. The detail in larger formats must be exquisite.

Natures Calling
by TomH1000

Comment:
Is that nectar? In a manner of speaking, I guess. Superb capture. Everything about it is outstanding. Bumping up.

Lighthouse
by juanrios

Comment:
Spectacular. The sky gradient is perfect and the tree fronds are unbelievably sharp and detailed, even at that distance. Welcome!

Marbles and Blue
by Krisby

Comment:
TECHNIQUE
Colors are generally vibrant and bright, but there is a yellowish caste to the whole image that makes it look a little dingy. This may be the result of a mismatch between the white balance your camera was expecting, and the actual light available at the scene. Also, the glare on the front of the jar is distracting. If the scene was lit with natural light, try to find a way to diffuse the light a little (curtains, drape a sheet across the window, etc.). If you're shooting with flash, don't. Find a way to light the scene more indirectly. If there's not enough light to do this, use a tripod and a longer exposure. Avoid the built-in flash of your camera at all costs. Makes for ugly reflections. Those blown glare lines can make an otherwise excellent picture stumble. The focus appears to be a little off also. The marbles are a little fuzzy looking, as is the top edge of the jar. If there's one thing that DPC tends to find unforgivable, it's a failure to focus "sharply." Your picture gave no technical details, but perhaps you used a very small "f number" (e.g., f2.8) which means your pictures will have a very narrow range where the image is in focus, with foreground or background objects being out of focus. This is desirable for some shots but perhaps not this one?

COMPOSITION
You tilted perspective adds interest and and element of unbalance to the photo that I like. What feels a little awkward is the way you've chopped off the top of the jar, left another background object partially visible at the upper right, and have the different color backdrops (shelf, counter??). If you're going to leave an object "in place" to shoot it for this, take great care to make the background as much a part of the composition as the subject.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
In general, this picture lacks punch or what many DPCers refer to as the "wow factor." It doesn't make you stop and stare. It doesn't drop the jaw. As you said in your photographer's comment, it's just your marble collection. When shooting a picture of a common or otherwise uninteresting object, find a way to make it pop. Experiment with unusual lighting, such as backlighting, which can be interesting when your subject is made of glass. Or try for an unusual perspective (up real close) or put the marbles in a place were you normally wouldn't expect to see them (a wine glass??). Etc. Find a way to make your picture stand out from the pack. Make sure you nail the technical details, pay attention to composition. And keep shooting!

Shades of Youth
by naomik

Comment:
This guy looks familiar. An outstanding portrait. The backdrop is wrinkled in such a way as to evoke rays of light streaming in. Lighting is excellent. All around great shot. Bumping up.